Longitudinal axis display requirements for high speed cruise

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Abstract

Altitude excursions particular to high speed aircraft
are investigated in this thesis. An aerodynamic database of
the XB-70 is created and a longitudinal linear model is
constructed for a high speed cruise flight condition. An
examination of the unpiloted aircraft dynamics revealed that
the excursions were not due to a poorly handling aircraft.
Thus, it is theorized that the excursions are due to pilot vehicle
interactions. A classical control method developed
a loop closure scheme suitable for acceptable control of the
aircraft. The results showed that a pilot should close an
inner loop with negative attitude feedback and an outer loop
with positive flight path feedback. A modern control method
analysis using an optimal control pilot model confirmed the
preceding conclusions. Based on these results, the cockpit
pitch attitude display resolution should be less than 1Â° so
that the pilot will be able to perform the loop closures
necessary for constant altitude flight.